Mayor Berry Launches Program: Efficiency, Stewardship, Accountability

ESA

ALBUQUERQUE—Mayor Richard J. Berry along with the City of Albuquerque Inspector General Janet McHard today announced a major initiative to increase efficiencies, stewardship of tax dollars, and accountability in city government. Therefore, the program is called Efficiency, Stewardship, & Accountability (ESA).

“This program has the potential to save city spending by millions of dollars each year,” said Mayor Berry. “ESA is a team approach to curb fraud and find efficiencies. Our employees are our biggest assets and ESA gives every employee, vendor, and citizen a voice to tell us how we can do things better.”

Efficiency

During these critical financial times, finding efficiencies at all levels of government is imperative. Any employee who suggests an efficiency idea to ESA should know that the idea will be investigated and given serious consideration.

If an employee’s ideas are put into actual savings, the employee’s department is eligible for an efficiency bonus. The Office of the Mayor set aside $25,000 for a bonus pilot program. The pilot program will allows for an employee’s department to receive a Team Efficiency Bonus worth up to one percent of the actual savings or a maximum of $1,000.

Stewardship and Accountability

ESA is also designed to target and root out any wasteful spending, theft of city money or resources. All tips go directly to the Inspector General for investigation, even bypassing the mayor. If necessary, the IG will forward her investigations to the City Attorney, Albuquerque Police Department, or District Attorney for possible prosecution.

“Having an anonymous reporting mechanism is the single most effective anti-fraud measure,” said McHard. “We are delighted to bring this effective measure to the City of Albuquerque.”

How it works

The Office of the Inspector General set up a hotline, a website, and an email for all employees, vendors, and citizens to report all ESA tips. The IG will review all tips and act appropriately on each one. All tipsters can remain anonymous if they wish. Mayor Berry urged all department directors to spread the word to employees and hang posters advertising ESA in all City of Albuquerque owned buildings.